“Paris is always a good idea” – Audrey Hepburn 

“An artist has no home in Europe, except in Paris” – Friedrich Nietzsche

No matter who you are or where you come from in this life, I’ve always felt like Paris is a place where all can come and feel a new (for some reborn) sense of excitement and wonder, and I was right.

My trip to Paris began with a 5 hour bus ride beginning at midnight, followed by a few changes on the Metro, and this was my first view of Paris after stepping off the metro at 6:20 am…

. (The Eiffel Tower, 6:20am)

…I was taken aback by the enormity and beauty of this monument. I had seen photos of the tower thousands of times, but not one could ever come close to giving you even the slightest idea of what it’s like to have this magnificent structure right in front of your eyes. While the Eiffel Tower is not a symbol of France, it is one of Paris, and is one that represents prosperity and achievement and inspiration.

Notre Dame of Paris 

Seeing Notre Dame for the first time is a pretty surreal experience. This church (monument) is hundreds of years old, inspired countless stories, and has played such a large role in the history of man and is still in operation today. The place which inspired Victor Hugo to write one of our most beloved tales, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the place where King Henry VI was crowned king of France in 1431, and where Napoleon I had his coronation in 1804 is open everyday for visitation and regular masses and church services are still held there.

The Louvre Museum

The Louvre museum is an unbelievable place, filled with thousands of years of art and culture and history all under one palace. Coming to the Louvre is a must, visiting is as close as we are going to get to having the ability to travel through time. Whether you are fascinated by Egyptian artifacts, Renaissance paintings, or ancient Greek statues, like Nike the Goddess of Victory, who is in the above picture, there is something for everyone. The Louvre is HUGE, you really need to dedicate a whole day to visiting the palace or to make multiple trips. These photos are from my first time there where we only did a quick run through of a couple exhibits, I will be returning this weekend to discover what else this amazing museum has to offer.

My first time in Paris, though brief, was spectacular. Paris truly is an amazing place full of history and culture. Like I said before, I will be returning this weekend to unearth what other wonders may lie in Paris.

à bientôt

Kathryn

Studying abroad is not only a great opportunity to study in another country, but during your time abroad, there are also many opportunities to explore different countries. These opportunities should of course be taken advantage of, but, it is also important to explore the city you’re studying in. I’ve heard from friends, family, and other students, who have studied abroad, that they wish they spent more time exploring the city they were living in. Generally, in their cases, it wasn’t until the end of their journeys that they realized (or re-realized) how special their host cities are, and wished they only realized it sooner. It’s important to remember there is a reason you chose to study in the city that you are in, explore it and enjoy it!

Here is what I have discovered in Lyon thus far…

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
The Basilica was constructed in honor of the Virgin Mary, whom the Lyonnais people regard as their savior from the bubonic plague during the 17th century.

 (interior of the Basilica)

(Interior, sample of bright color scheme)(Front entrance of Basilica)

Lyon Cathedral

The Cathedral was built in honor of Saint John the Baptiste, it took about 3 centuries to build (construction began in the 12th century and finished in the second half of the 15th century)
The famous Lyon Astronomical Clock from the 14th century can be found here!

 (View from Saône River)

The Saône River 

The Saône is a major river which runs through eastern France, it is a branch of the well-known European river, the Rhône.

^^(Bridge connecting Place Bellecour to Vieux Lyon on the Saône River)

^^(View of Vieux Lyon from Bellecour across the Saône River)

Cemetery of Loyasse

The cemetery is known for its vast array of gravestones and architectural styles. A few examples of the styles of graves can be seen in the photos below.

…It is absolutely beautiful. It has only been about 3 weeks and have barely scratched the surface of what this magnificent city has to offer.

(Note: These are all original pictures)